Staff Profile

Career Summary

Biography

I have been lecturing at the University of Newcastle since the early 1990s and during this time have taught at the Undergraduate and postgraduate level- with the majority of my work being with the Coursework masters programs of the Faculty of Education and Arts. Prior to working at the University of Newcastle I worked as a teacher with the department of Education in NSW and held other State and Federal positions. I have supervised numerous RHD students and am currently supervising 10 PhD students. I am also involved in the administrative functions of the University currently being the Student Academic Integrity Officer coordinator for the University, and serving on many University and Faculty committees, including University Senate

Qualifications

Master of Educational Studies, University of Newcastle, 10/05/1991

Diploma in Education, University of Newcastle

Bachelor of Arts, University of Newcastle, 30/04/1983

Research

Research keywords

Computer education

History of Education

Multimedia

Online Education

Research expertise

My research is typified by activity in two primary domains. These are Information and Communication Technologies,and the History of Education.

Research Domain- Information and Communication Technology and Online learning

The field of ICT is the domain where most of my research work has been focused since my appointment, and I am a recognized expert in online learning in higher Education. Key in this area has been the conduct of research which is designed to evaluate the use of ICT and Online learning in Educational settings. Specifically I have developed a strong reputation for quality practical research in the area of uses of Multimedia and the Internet in educational settings. This research evaluates and assesses the outcomes of the introduction of ICT into learning environments, and advises on the effectiveness of specific approaches to the use of ICT. This research links directly with my primary teaching responsibilities. The findings of this research has not only formed the basis for my teaching in this area, but has resulted in numerous presentations at local, nation, and international gatherings and refereed journal articles. Additionally, I was recently the institutional lead on a Carrick priority grant which explored the use of e-learning and the iLecture system at four of Australia's Research intensive universities. Similarly, my work on social issues in ICT has resulted in book chapters and fully refereed presentations at the most important international, and national conferences in this field.

Research Domain- History and History of Education

My work in this area is founded on an interest in the nature of Educational Institutions and the ways that individual institutions adapt and react to external political, economic and social forces. The research is particularly focused on Teaching and the Institutions of Teacher training. My thesis on the History of the Mechanics Institute and School or Arts movement in the Hunter Valley formed the basis for the Newcastle Library Monograph on this subject My current study in this domain is centred on the nature and transformation of an educational institution across time- specifically the development of a comprehensive history of Newcastle Teachers College, Newcastle CAE and the Hunter Institute of Higher Education. I am also part of team from SORTI which has written a commissioned history of the Australian Teacher Education Association. My research in this domain includes traditional historical methods of document, photographic and policy location, analysis, and interpretation.

Languages

German

Fields of Research

Code

Description

Percentage

130306

Educational Technology And Computing

60

130103

Higher Education

20

220202

History And Philosophy Of Education

20

Memberships

Body relevant to professional practice.

Member - Australian Council of Computer Education

Member - Australian Council of Education

Editor - Australian Historical Association

Committee/Associations (relevant to research).

Member - Australian Society for Computers in learning in Tertiary Education

Member - International Society of Technology Education

Editor - President-NSW Computer Education group

Awards

Recognition.

2006

Vice-Chancellors Citation for outstanding Contributions to Student LearningThe University of Newcastle (Australia)Vice-Chancellors Citation for outstanding
Contributions to Student Learning

Research Award.

Collaboration

My research is typified by activity in two primary domains. These are Information and Communication Technologies, and the History of Education.

Research Domain- Information and Communication Technology

The field of ICT is the domain where most of my research work has been focused since my appointment. Key in this area has been the conduct of research which is designed to evaluate the use of ICT in Educational settings. This research evaluates and assesses the outcomes of the introduction of ICT into learning environments, and advises on the effectiveness of specific approaches to the use of ICT. My work in this domain has include extensive work with Microsoft and Apple research projects and involvement with the Australian Learning and teaching council. i am a regular reviewer for more than 10 refereed journals in this field.

Research Domain- History and History of education

My work in this area is founded on an interest in the nature of Educational Institutions and the ways that individual institutions adapt and react to external political, economic and social forces. The research is particularly focused on Teaching and the Institutions of Teacher training. My thesis on the History of the Mechanics Institute and School of Arts movement in the Hunter Valley formed the basis for the Newcastle Library Monograph on this subject . My current study in this domain is similarly centred on the nature and transformation of an educational institution across time. The purpose of the research is to compile a comprehensive history of Newcastle Teachers College, Newcastle CAE and the Hunter Institute of Higher Education. The research involves traditional historical methods of document, photographic and policy location, analysis, and interpretation.

Administrative

Administrative expertise

I have made significant contributions to planning, governance and academic leadership within the University. I have contributed to numerous committees and been active in the development of policy in relation to key teaching, learning and research initiatives at the school, faculty and university level.

My committee membership has spanned all areas of University activity, including research, teaching and administration. I was on the standing committee (senior executive) committee of the school for 1992-2000. However it is in the area of ICT where I have had the most impact. My expertise in this area has meant that I have had the opportunity to contribute to the development of computer use policy, purchase policy, and guide the integration of ICT skills into all aspects of the schools focus. As the expert in this area, I have been instrumental in this transition. I was the Manager, ICT and e-learning for the school (1992-2002 and again from 2005-2011) I was the Director, Web-based learning and teaching (2002-2005).

I am currently the School Academic Conduct Officer.

I have previously served on the numerous school based committees including: School of Education Teaching Committee (1992-2005), School Teacher Education Committee (2002-2005), School of Education Standing committee (1992-2000), School of Education Research committee (1992-1996).

Similarly, I have had the opportunity to contribute to academic leadership, governance and planning at the Faculty level. Again I have been active on many committees and have provided advice in relation ICT issues to HOS and PVC both as result of this committee membership and independent to it. My Faculty committee involvement has included:

Chair -Faculty Educational Technology committee (1996- 2002)

Chair - Faculty Open Learning and Flexible Delivery Committee (1998)

Member - Faculty Standing committee (1992 - 2001)

Member Faculty Open Learning and Flexible Delivery Committee (1996-1997)

Member- IT portfolio committee (2002-2004)

Member - Faculty of Education Teaching committee (1992-1998).

Member- Faculty Board (2010-current)

I have also provided input into planning and policy development at the University level.

I have been the Faculty representative on University Academic and Research IT committee, and the University E-learning group (elected chair for 2006-7). Additionally, I have been the University Representative on the Australian Apple University's Consortium since 1999. Previously, I was the Chair of the University Multimedia committee (1995-1997) and a member of the University Web Development consultative group (1996-1998). Further I have been a member of more than 15 IT review groups or working groups in the period 1992-2010. I am currently a member of the Working group for the university's Virtual learning Management Project, and a member of the University Teaching and Learning Computing Services committee

My involvement at the University level has seen me twice become the elected chair of a university committee, and also represent the university on a national IT group for the last twelve years. I have also provided advice to senior executive members of the University independent to this committee membership.

I am currently an elected member of the University Senate, and an appointment member of the University Teaching and learning Committee, and the University Program and Course Approval Committee.

I am currently the University Student Academic Conduct Officer Coordinator.

Teaching

Teaching keywords

Computer Education

History of Education

Online Education

Research methodology

Teaching expertise

My major teaching responsibilities are currently in the School of Education Postgraduate program in ICT.

I teach:

EDUC6018 Information Technologies and Education

EDUC6038 An Introduction to ICT in Education

EDUC6036 Educational Leadership and ICT

EDUC6039 Applications of Computers in Education

EDUC6042 Digitally Supported Learning

EDUC6101 Web 2.0 and Beyond

EDUC6240 Teaching the Digital Generation

During my time at the University I have taught within almost all the

programs offered by the school of education. This has included

lectures to large undergraduate groups and small tutorials for

postgraduate coursework groups. I have been involved with the

supervision of practicum placements and RHD students, and been at

the cutting edge of the appropriate use of computer-based technology in

all of these endeavours. Guiding this involvement has been a belief in

the notion of students constructing their own learning. This has lead to

a student-centred approach to the learning and teaching process, which

stresses the importance of students taking control over their own

learning. Similarly, the processes of self-reflection and evaluation (both

student and peer) have been pivotal in the development of my teaching

style. I have received the Vice-Chancellors Award for Teaching

Excellence for 2005, and the Vice-Chancellors Citation for outstanding

Preston GD, 'A beginner's guide to technology for study: What should I have and how do I use it?', Stepping Stones: A Guide for Mature-Aged Students at University, ACER Press, Camberwell, Vic. 74-82 (2007) [B2]

Thesis / Dissertation (1 outputs)

Year

Citation

Altmetrics

Link

1991

Preston GD, A comparative Evaluation of the Aims and Achievements of the Mechanics' Institute Movement, with Particular reference to the Lower Hunter Valley, 1800-1914, The University of Newcastle (1991)

Quality of Teaching Performance in Higher Education Institutions in North Sulawesi Indonesia

2009

PhD (Education)

Co-Supervisor

"Are Schools Ready to go Online?" A Study that Examines the Current State of Information and Communication Technologies in Secondary Schools and Explores the Possibility of the Introduction of a More Flexible Educational Structure Though Online Technology